Explain call by reference, C/C++ Programming

Assignment Help:

Call by Reference

Passing variables(parameters) to a function in C can be done in two ways - pass by value, also called as call by value and pass by address or also known as call by address. C++ though , gives one more way to call a function - call by reference. In call by value , a copy of the actual contents of the variables is passed to the function. In this case, alters made to the formal variable , as they are called, are not reflected back in the calling function. Passing an address permits changes to be made directly to the memory, which are occupied by the actual variable.

Though, a call by address requires the formal variable to be considered as pointer and therefore the indirection operator has to be used with them. A reference on the other hand, is another name, for a previously explained variable. In other words, after a reference is explained for a particular variable, using its original name as well as the reference can refer to the variable. Hence, a reference is nothing but an alias.

 Thus not passing a copy (call by value) saves time and is efficient. It does not have to make a temporary variable /. And not passing the address(call by address), eliminates the use of pointers in the called functions. But, at the same time, the changes made to a formal variable , using its reference or alias can be reflected back in the calling function.

 


Related Discussions:- Explain call by reference

What happens while a derived-class object is developed, What happens while ...

What happens while a derived-class object is developed & destroyed? A: Space is allocated (on the heap or the stack) for the full object (i.e. adequate space to store the data m

Car rental payment system, payment system, in c++ only..just use the printf...

payment system, in c++ only..just use the printf or scanf.please

Palindrome, A palindrome is a string that reads the same from both the ends...

A palindrome is a string that reads the same from both the ends. Given a string S convert it to a palindrome by doing character replacement. Your task is to convert S to palindrome

Program to create local shopping cart, Available, and the right kind of pro...

Available, and the right kind of programs. My son wants to stop using ice. He has organised detox a number of times, and is always successful. It is the next stage, rehab, where

Create a software application, Project Description: Currently seeking so...

Project Description: Currently seeking someone who can create me a software application (google chrome crx file_ that will auto add all shoe sizes to cart directly and if not av

Algorithm, Write an algorithm to print all even numbers in descending order...

Write an algorithm to print all even numbers in descending order and draw the flowchart.

When does a name clash occur in c++, A name clash happens when a name is de...

A name clash happens when a name is described in more than one place. For example, two dissimilar class libraries could give two different classes the similar name. If you try to u

C program to calculate area of cube, Aim: To implement program to calculat...

Aim: To implement program to calculate area of cube using inline function. Code: inline void area_cube(float side) {             float area;             are

Write the recursive bisection root finding function, Rewrite the recursive...

Rewrite the recursive bisection root finding function from lecture to be iterative (using a while loop). The function declaration should be root = bisectIter(f,a,b,tol). The input

Write Your Message!

Captcha
Free Assignment Quote

Assured A++ Grade

Get guaranteed satisfaction & time on delivery in every assignment order you paid with us! We ensure premium quality solution document along with free turntin report!

All rights reserved! Copyrights ©2019-2020 ExpertsMind IT Educational Pvt Ltd